Imagine What Super Bowl 2013 Would Look Like with Single-Event Sports Wagering

TORONTO, Jan. 31, 2013 /CNW/ - Want to bet on the Super Bowl? Great news
- all you have to do is select your favourite NHL, NBA, or Premier
League team and place your parlay bet! Your bet could already be loser
by kick-off but unfortunately that's your only legal option in Canada.

But imagine if Bill C290 was passed. Imagine if the Senate came together
and approved a private members bill that would give people a better
option than turning to illegal bookmakers or offshore operators to
place bets. Bill C290 would amend the criminal code to permit the
provinces to offer a single event wager. The Senate resumes third
reading debate on Bill C290 on February 5.

And imagine what cities like Niagara Falls, or Windsor, or Vancouver,
would look like during Super Bowl?

"Border cities such as Windsor and Niagara would get an immediate
competitive advantage," said Bill Rutsey, CEO of the Canadian Gaming
Association (CGA). "Casinos could offer sports books, seats would be
full, streets would be busy, and it would be a reason for tourists to
book themselves into hotels and host Super Bowl parties. I can only
shake my head at what a wasted opportunity this year is."

Again, the CGA points to the fact that Canada's law regarding sports
betting is outdated, developed before the world knew what the Internet
was. It needs to be updated to decriminalize the significant amount of
illegal activity that is taking place in order to offer a safer
environment for Canadians who choose to participate in sports betting.

"We are now at the stage where we can talk about lost opportunities for
communities across the country - such as economic development,
employment, and most of all, protection of players," added Mr. Rutsey.
"Our current sports betting laws date back to the 1960s when the world
was a very different place. It should be a no-brainer to amend the
legislation to allow Canadians to place a bet on the Super Bowl without
having to combine it with additional outcomes or seek out nefarious
means."

About the Canadian Gaming Association
The fundamental goal of the Canadian Gaming Association is to create
balance in the public dialogue about gaming in Canada.

Our members are among the largest most established gaming operators,
suppliers and gaming equipment manufacturers in Canada.

Our mandate is to create a better understanding of the gaming industry
through education and advocacy.